Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 5: The Supreme Court on Tuesday may 4, reserved orders on a plea put forth by Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by Reddy brothers, who are also ministers in Karnataka cabinet. The company, which operates mines in Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh state bordering Bellary district, has been accused of encroaching forest areas illegally and conducting mining by violating the state’s borders.

The bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice Deepak Verma and Justice B S Chauhan said that it will pronounce the orders in the coming days. Intervening in the matter, advocate general, G E Vahanvati, argued that the company should not be allowed to resume mining operations till the committee appointed by the Supreme Court to verify the facts, submits its survey report. He argued that it is the duty of the contractor concerned to carefully preserve the boundary stones marking the mining areas. He said that there are provisions in the law to issue show cause notice to the miners concerned if they fail to protect the boundary markers, asking them why their licences should not be cancelled. He pointed out that while issuing mining licences, the areas are measured and marked by boundary stones in all cases.

Lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of OMC, requested the Supreme Court to permit the company to resume mining activity, as it has been unable to take up mining activities because of this dispute, since the last five months.